MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

A forum about Uilleann (Irish) pipes and the surly people who play them.
Paragon
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:02 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: Adelaide, Australia

MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Paragon »

Hi,

I'd like any thoughts upon this

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Uilleann-Pip ... 27bc1ed5c0

I'm considering purchase, but would like the benefit of wiser heads.

Thanks,

Paragon.
I have no idea what I'm doing out of bed...
User avatar
Lars Larry Mór Mott
Posts: 847
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 12:54 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 12

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Lars Larry Mór Mott »

I am not familiar with the maker.. Also it seems to me like it's a leftie-set judging by the drone stock/cup.
the artist formerly known as Mr_Blackwood
User avatar
Uilliam
Posts: 2578
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2002 6:00 pm
Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
Location: An fear mosánach seeketh and ye will find.

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Uilliam »

Mr_Blackwood wrote:I am not familiar with the maker.. Also it seems to me like it's a leftie-set judging by the drone stock/cup.
Erm thats a great start...Mr Blackwood...not only are ye not familiar with the maker but ye seem tae be unfamiliar with distinguishing yoor right frae yoor left :-? The set is for a right handed player.Unless ye want tae play the set upside doon like Mr Blackwood.
Good luck on yoor trail fer wisdom I suspect ye have gone up a dead end with this tho if the 1st reply is anything tae go by.....
Uilliam
If ye are intersted in helping our cause to cure leprosy feel free to PM me.
User avatar
Lars Larry Mór Mott
Posts: 847
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 12:54 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 12

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Lars Larry Mór Mott »

You're right, i am wrong.. What can i say except i'd better wipe me glasses and finish the first jug of coffee before attempting to add anything worth noting (except for stupidity) :)
Although it is true that i haven't heard of the maker..
the artist formerly known as Mr_Blackwood
User avatar
Mr.Gumby
Posts: 6628
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:31 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: the Back of Beyond

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Mr.Gumby »

Ian McKenzie is well respected and liked in Oz. Ofcourse you'll want to know if the set is reeded and playing before you buy it. At the price you may well go straight to the maker and get one made for you. Ian is somewhere in the Blue Mountains.
Last edited by Mr.Gumby on Fri Jul 01, 2011 3:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
My brain hurts

Image
User avatar
Lars Larry Mór Mott
Posts: 847
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 12:54 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 12

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Lars Larry Mór Mott »

Mr.Gumby wrote:Ian McKenzie is well respected and liked in Oz.
I did some research after pulling my foot out of my mouth, and indeed i have heard SIMACK mentioned before.
the artist formerly known as Mr_Blackwood
Paragon
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:02 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: Adelaide, Australia

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Paragon »

Thanks for the replies so far - I must admit - somewhat variable in coherence.

More to the point, I was wondering if the set really is MacKenzie as advertised, and if the price asked for seemed reasonable. I have queried this to Ian but not yet received a reply, and may not get one from him in time.

My situation is this - I have a full-set on order that will be at least a year away, maybe two. Do I pursue this practice set in the interim and sell when the full set is done, or just wait? Will the value hold up or crash? Help me, Obi-Wan, you're my only hope!

Cheers,
Paragon.
I have no idea what I'm doing out of bed...
User avatar
Lars Larry Mór Mott
Posts: 847
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 12:54 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 12

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Lars Larry Mór Mott »

Well i wouldn't want to be without an instrument for a year +, that's for sure, so if you don't really need the money *now* i'd buy it.
I can't see how you should get less money for it a year from now judging by prize and availability in the 17 years i have been "in the business"
Last edited by Lars Larry Mór Mott on Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
the artist formerly known as Mr_Blackwood
User avatar
Hans-Joerg
Posts: 788
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 3:37 am
Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
Location: Germany, half an hour west of "Old Brunswick" (Braunschweig < Brunswieck)

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Hans-Joerg »

Since you asked for ANY thoughts: As a beginner you should by all means buy your practise set locally. Go for it!
Elmek
Posts: 658
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:52 pm
antispam: No
Location: Up North

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Elmek »

Thanks for the replies so far - I must admit - somewhat variable in coherence.
Yep, thats what to expect on this forum as in my experience of asking questions you always get those with a hidden agenda who invariably have themselves to blame replying in a way to mislead you into thinking everything is ther makers fault. They never say what he (or her - are there any women makers ?) did to try to help them

When I got my new half set some years ago I followed the makers advice and went to the local pipers club where the set was pronounced an excellent one, well in tune and nicely set up by the main tutor there.

Another pipemaker was there who tried it and then stated that it was very pretty but his sets were far superior as he had been trianed by a well known pipemaker in Ireland and I should take it back for a refund and order one of his (no the one who must not be named is not involved in this in any way :D )

Moral is don't believe everything you are told becase at the very best it will only be half the story

I would be to go for it as at least you will be playing by the time you get the full set and as if it is local you should be able to try before you buy. See it comes with ther NPU DVD''s another bonus

Hope this helps

John
Tony
Posts: 5146
Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2001 6:00 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I used to play pipes about 20 years ago and suddenly abducted by aliens.
Not sure why... but it's 2022 and I'm mysteriously baack...
Location: Surlyville

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Tony »

I had two MacKenzie D chanters.
Awesome in both quality and playability.
Ian's reeds are top notch as well.
Paragon
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:02 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: Adelaide, Australia

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Paragon »

I love the quirkyness that is evident in some of the posts here - to borrow a phrase, uilleann pipers march to the beat of a different drum. :thumbsup:

Thanks,

Paragon.
I have no idea what I'm doing out of bed...
amckay
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 9:58 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by amckay »

I would also like to put in a good word for Ian, Sue, and their work. They are lovely people who have helped me countless times over the years I have been playing pipes. Ian knows so much about pipes and pipemaking and the workmanship is top notch. I'm lucky they are only an hours drive away from me!
Paragon
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:02 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Location: Adelaide, Australia

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Paragon »

Bid won, now I just have to hope that everything that is supposed to happen does happen. Will let you all know when I receive it.

Now I just have to tell Mrs. Paragon. :o
I have no idea what I'm doing out of bed...
User avatar
Uilliam
Posts: 2578
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2002 6:00 pm
Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
Location: An fear mosánach seeketh and ye will find.

Re: MacKenzie Practice set for sale on E-bay - your thoughts?

Post by Uilliam »

Paragon wrote:I love the quirkyness that is evident in some of the posts here - to borrow a phrase, uilleann pipers march to the beat of a different drum. :thumbsup:

Thanks,

Paragon.
Thats a very polite way o putting it. :wink: Don't quite know where the "hidden agenda" (cue Jaws Music) is on this particular thread :-?
The not so very hidden agenda o Johns apparent bitterness is quite apparent tho.I think it is very sad that this should creep into a very innocent thread.
Peace Tranquility Happiness Joyfullness Happy 4th july etc etc etc to ye all.
PS Enjoy yoor journey wi yoor new set and if ye take this forum seriously then ye are well on the road to madness.
Uilliam
If ye are intersted in helping our cause to cure leprosy feel free to PM me.
Post Reply